President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that bilateral partnerships between Nigeria and the Netherlands must be mutually beneficial and transformative and translate into “verifiable gains” for citizens of both countries.
He called for a creative approach to find investment-minded solutions to benefit the two nations.
“We must also ensure that the partnerships are creative and transformative in such a manner that the ordinary citizens of our countries can reap verifiable gains,” Tinubu said at the Nigeria-Netherlands Business and Investment Forum in The Hague.
The President’s Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed details of Thursday’s talks in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu to Dutch industry: partnerships must be transformative; they must translate into real gains for our citizens.’
He emphasised the importance of stronger ties between Nigeria and the Netherlands, saying both countries must explore more creative channels of collaboration, be it partnerships, joint ventures, or strategic alliances, to build bridges that connect markets and facilitate the flow of goods, services, ideas and peoples.
Tinubu argued that his administration is enhancing Nigeria’s business environment to make it “very friendly” through various reforms.
These measures include “The cleaning up of our foreign exchange market to make it more transparent for seamless business transactions, removal of the fuel subsidy, and the readiness of the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide the necessary window to allow foreign companies repatriate their profits, among others.”
President Tinubu said the improved business environment in Nigeria is transforming the country into an investor’s paradise, urging businessmen and women to take advantage of these opportunities for mutually rewarding economic partnerships between Nigeria and the Netherlands.
“I am delighted and honoured to be at this occasion of the Nigeria-Netherlands Business Forum. This platform symbolises the potential for collaboration and partnership between our two nations.
“It is worth noting that this forum seeks to highlight and advance the potential of mutually beneficial partnerships.
“It is on record that Nigeria and the Netherlands have established business ties for decades. There is every need to re-invigorate this relationship. This is a call for creativity on the part of all of us,” the President said.
Noting the long history of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands, Tinubu called for the forging of even stronger bonds, not just in diplomacy but in commerce, innovation, and enterprise.
Tinubu, who said the two gas giants possess unique strengths and resources, reasoned that only mutually beneficial collaboration can harness these strengths, unlock new opportunities, and drive economic development.
He noted, “Together, we have the potential to create synergies that will benefit our present and future generations. We must endeavour to replicate the success stories of various Dutch companies and enterprises by learning and sharing their experiences and approaches for the benefit of all.
“As the world braces up for today’s economic challenges, which in many ways affect our two countries, a creative approach to the search for investment-minded solutions will prove to be the most viable path to the level of sustainable development that we all desire.
“In line with the above vision, I believe that we must endeavour to push this narrative into our daily business activities and to move toward industrial value addition, agribusiness, innovative technology, green energy, marine economic expansion, as well as solid mineral exploitation and processing.”
Concluding his remarks, Tinubu emphasised that relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands will henceforth set a new tone and foundation for stronger economic ties.
“As we engage in discussions and negotiations today, let us do so with a spirit of openness, trust, and mutual respect.
“Let us listen to one another, learn from each other, and find common ground that will allow us to move forward together in pursuit of our shared prosperity,” he called.
Thursday’s meeting marks one of several of President Tinubu’s engagements during his three-day official and a maiden visit to the European state.
The Netherlands was Nigeria’s biggest export trading partner in 2023. It ranked the highest among Nigeria’s export destinations, with N1.9bn worth of goods, representing 15 percent of the total N12.7bn for the fiscal year.
Both countries signed the Bilateral Investment Treaty in 1992 and partnered in agriculture, IT, healthcare and renewable energy.
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